1965 Dean Van Lines Special

[pje]

With all of Calvin’s roadster modelling going on lately, I started to think about what I could do with my old AMT kits. I was reminded of one of Stu’s 1/18th scale builds and then he reminded me of Mario’s roadster that was restored in the IMAX movie “Super Speedway”.




I’m looking for feedback concerning this car. Was the 1964 car (No. 7) a different chassis than the 1965 car (No. 12) that was shown in the movie? Stu believes that the 1964 car was a “Blum” Watson copy. He’s not sure about the 1965 car although I’ve seen some things online to make me believe that it’s a true Watson. I’ve also seen a statement that the chassis is very old, dating back to the late “40’s.
Calvin, will your 1964 tires be close in depicting the 1965 car? Any feedback in modifying the AMT kit to depict the 1965 Dean Van Lines roadster would be appreciated. Also if any of you know of any photos (I’ve only found a couple on line. I’ll have to go from the movie) I’d appreciate it.

Paul Erlendson

[oldphotos]

The 1964 #7 Dean Van Lines roadster was a Watson copy built by Eddie Kuzma with some Kuzma updates. Mario drove this car at Trenton for the first time on July 19th 1964 and then at Milwaukee Trenton and Phoenix at the end of the 1964 season
The car was used Mario at Phoenix and Trenton early in the 1965 season as a #12 before Indy and at Atlanta and Langhorne after Indy
Bud Tinglestad drove this car at the last race of the season at Phoenix now with the #64
1966 Chuck Hulse drove this car now with the #74 but still with Dean Van Lines sponsorship in the Frist race at Phoenix.
It has been listed a Blum chassis but what I have found that it was built but Kuzma, Blum may have helped build the car and Clint may have name the chassis after him.

Hope this Helps

OldPhotos
Walt

[Calvin]

Jun 24, 2014 18:11:34 GMT -5 pje said:

Calvin, will your 1964 tires be close in depicting the 1965 car?

Yeah they should work great.

The thing about Watson Roadsters is all of the noses are slightly different. But I think the AMT kit would work great for this as the hood looks about right and windscreen area could be worked with.

[pje]

The fuel filler is huge on this car. Very different than the twin filler of Parnelli's car. I can source the fuel return at the bottom left but I haven't a clue where I can find something to replicate this fuel filler. Suggestions?

Paul Erlendson

[kip]

How about the filler cap from the old Monogram Kurtis?

kip

[pje]

Thanks Kip, don't have that kit so I hadn't even thought of it. Calvin had some resin copies so they are on the way with a set of tires. Thanks Calvin!

This thing is actually starting to come together. Time to go crank up the movie!

Paul Erlendson